Hampshire Under-17s are well placed in their ECB County Championship semi-final tie against Essex at Southend's characterless and windswept Garon Park.They bowled Essex out for 261 and were 33-0 at stumps at the close, requiring a further 229 to win off 82 overs and clinch a place in next Thursday's final at Arundel Castle against either Derbyshire or Warwickshire.Essex were struggling at 22-2 after being put into bat, but were steadied by Felsted School's William Buttleman, who made an accomplished 110 before being caught down the leg-side to give Charlie Gwynne a handy 4-52 return. Tom Scriven bowled well for his 2-33, while Havant's Harry Hovey took one outstanding leg-side stumping.Ben Duggan and Elijah Samuel successfully negotiated the final hour of play to make Hampshire to 33-0 at stumps, but the ball is turning so there is still plenty of work to do.